SEC launches web-based beneficial ownership registry,  updates GIS forms

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is launching the Hierarchical and Applicable Relations and Beneficial Ownership Registry (HARBOR), a webbased registry for beneficial ownership (BO) disclosures, as part of its continuing efforts to streamline compliance and strengthen corporate transparency.

Starting January 30, 2026, corporations required to submit beneficial ownership disclosures shall do so through the HARBOR, which can be accessed directly at https://harbor.sec.gov.ph/ or through the Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST).

HARBOR enables the secure submission and updating of beneficial ownership data and is integrated with eFAST, the Commission’s official portal for the submission of reportorial requirements.

Through HARBOR, the SEC reduces manual handling of beneficial ownership information, improving data quality and enabling more timely access to reliable information for compliance monitoring and regulatory coordination.

“Beneficial ownership disclosures are a key transparency reform that supports good governance and helps prevent the misuse of corporate structures for illicit activities,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim said.

“Through HARBOR, the SEC streamlines the filing process while strengthening BO data management, enabling the Commission to provide timely and meaningful support to partner agencies in lawful enforcement actions,” he added.

New GIS forms

Beneficial owners refer to natural persons who ultimately own or exercise effective control over a corporation, whether directly or indirectly.

Currently, BO disclosures are submitted to the SEC via eFAST on the last page of a company’s General Information Sheet (GIS) submission.

With the launch of HARBOR, the SEC issued the 2026 version of the GIS, which removes the page on BO disclosures. This reflects the shift to HARBOR as the Commission’s web-based registry for beneficial ownership submissions and updating. The new GIS forms can be accessed via bit.ly/2026GISForms.

Effectively, companies will no longer need to re-submit the same beneficial ownership declaration every year, unless there are changes (including the addition of new beneficial owners). Instead, filers will be required to revalidate previously submitted information.

How to access HARBOR

To access HARBOR, filers must have an active account on the Electronic SEC Universal Registration Environment (eSECURE), the Commission’s digital passport for its online services.

In addition, only active and authorized filers through eFAST may submit BO declarations via HARBOR.

The launch of HARBOR is pursuant to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 15, Series of 2025, which issued the Revised Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Rules. Under this framework, the SEC is authorized to implement a web-based Beneficial Ownership Registry to facilitate streamlined and more efficient submission of beneficial ownership disclosures.

This is consistent with the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the collection and management of BO information, in support of the Philippines’ commitments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to keep the country off the grey list.

These reforms build on earlier beneficial ownership and transparency measures that supported the Philippines’ exit from the FATF grey list in February 2025, and demonstrate the Commission’s continuing commitment to sustain AML/CFT improvements and keep the country off the grey list.